Guide Dogs of the Desert provides veterans with service dogs

Fourth annual Motorcycle Ride on June 7 to benefit Guide Dogs of the Desert

By Charlotte Burrous

burrousc@canoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted:
03/31/2014 04:21:40 PM MDT

Courtesy Photo / Special to the Daily Record Guide Dog Valor leads Adam, a blind veteran, whose last name will not be released until he graduates from the school, and his horse on Adam's property in Arizona.

More than a year ago, Sandy and Joseph Esposito, who work with Guide Dogs of the Desert, attained the support from several organizations, including the Cañon City Elks Lodge No. 610, to sponsor Valor, a black labrador retriever, who has been in training since.

This is a way for local entities help veterans, who are coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan in need of service dogs.

"Valor is now training with his new partner, Adam, whose last name will not be released until he graduates," Sandy said. "Adam is a blind veteran and Valor has been trained by Guide Dogs of the Desert in partnership with Freedom Paws."

Valor will serve Adam as both a guide dog and post traumatic syndrome disorder dog, she said.

"They are currently training at Adam's ranch and will finish up in training and graduate April 13 at Palm Springs Guide Dogs of the Desert campus," Sandy said. "We are most grateful to the Elks and the rest of our community for their great support to help Adam. Adam and other veterans receive service dogs free of charge."

The local representatives look forward to other dogs being sponsored by the community.

"We invite all of you to save the date for our fourth annual Motorcycle Ride on June 7 to benefit Guide Dogs of the Desert and this great cause."